318 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



MUSCLES OF THE NECK 



RhomboideuS. — This is a long triangular muscle situated at the upper 

 border of the neck, where it commences at the second cervical vertebra and 

 extends backward to the fifth dorsal vertebra. 



Origin. — From the superior border of the ligamentum nuchse and the 

 superior spinous processes of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5tli dorsal vertebrfe. 



Insertion. — Into the inner surface of the cartilage on the upper liorder 

 of the scapula. 



Action. — To draw the scapula upwards and forwards. Acting when the 

 scapula is fixed, it would incline the neck to one side. 



Levator Anguli Scapulae. — A muscle of considerable size spread 

 over the lower half of the side of the neck, from which its fibres converge 

 toward the cervical angle of the scapula. 



Attachments. — To the transverse processes of the four or five posterior 

 cervical vertebrte, and to the internal surface of the upper extremity of the 

 scapula, just in front of the serratus magnus. 



Action. — This muscle, like the one previously described, may act from 

 either extremity. When the neck is made a fixed point it would pull 

 forward the upper end of the scapula and cause the shoulder point to 

 recede. When the scapula is fixed, the muscle acting alone would draw 

 the neck to one side, or, acting with its fellow, the neck would be lifted up. 



SpleniuS. — A broad, triangular, fiat muscle, situated on the side of 

 the neck, and extending from the summit of the head backward to the 

 withers. 



Origin. — From the superior spinous processes of the 2nd, 3rd. and 4tli 

 dorsal vertebrae and the upper border of the ligamentum nuchae. 



Insertion. — Into the mastoid crest of the temjDoral bone and the trans- 

 verse processes of the first five cervical vertebrae. 



Action. — Acting alone, the sjjlenius draws the head and neck towards 

 the side upon which it acts. When co-operating with its fellow on the 

 opposite side, they elevate the head and neck. 



The Complexus. — This is a strong, fleshy muscle deeply seated on 

 the side of the neck, in close apposition with the ligamentum nuchse, 

 which divides the right from the left complexus. It extends from the back 

 behind to the head in front, becoming narrower as it passes upwards. 



Origin. — From the spinous processes of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th dorsal 

 vertebree, from the transverse processes of the first six, and from the articular 

 tubercles of all the cervical vertebrae. 



Insertio7i.— Into the posterior part of the occipital bone. 



